The 97 Indonesians were illegal immigrants who embarked at Kampung Air Hitam (Malaysia) heading to Aceh province (Indonesia).Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A ship carrying 97 Indonesians sank off Air Hitam river, Selangor Malaysia, on Tuesday night, Information Director from Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry Sofia Sudarma said here on Wednesday.
"Based on information from Deputy Ambassador of Indonesia in Kuala Lumpur, Hermono, 55 out of the 97 victims had been evacuated while the rest were still missing. Malaysian authority had sent three ships to help evacuation process," Sofia said.
The 97 Indonesians were illegal immigrants who embarked at Kampung Air Hitam (Malaysia) heading to Aceh province (Indonesia).
Earlier Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministrys Director for Indonesian Citizen Protection Tatang Budhie Razak said the receding waters made it hard for the search and rescue teams ship to reach the location of the sinking ship. Rescue would be resumed as soon as possible.
Indonesian Consulate General in Johor area, Malaysia,was handling the case. All surviving victims were being evacuated to a police station in Teluk Garang area for further investigation.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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